Modern Mentor
930 episodes — Page 1 of 19
Why your hard work isn't paying off and what's really slowing progress
A fresh approach to managing burnout
When it comes to managing, do I do it fast or right? (Reissue)
The awesome power of "No"
How TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie recovered from depression
How to Think Positive to Be More Productive
Be a goldfish...but only sometimes: when your team should reflect vs. move on
How to make your life effortless
Why your team is exhausted and still missing targets
How to increase your productivity by managing your energy
Are you successmaxxing?
Maximize your productivity in uncertain times
Your team needs recovery time — introducing the Breathing Room
Never waste a good workplace crisis
Productive, Happy, Focused—How Small Habits Bring Big Success
The 3 conversations every team needs right now
How to Love Your Job Even When It Isn't Perfect
Career advice for new grads (that I wish I had)
How to make the most of an interim leadership role
The hidden beliefs holding you back, with bestselling author and behavioral design expert, Nir Eyal
5 things AI can't replace, and why that’s your advantage
A tough love letter to leaders
How to motivate a struggling team (without the gaslighting)
How to change someone's mind: Persuasion for human-centric leaders
Stop fighting fires: 5 ways to spot problems before they become crises
Build a culture of accountability with Work Design
Workplace cheat codes: 5 ways to up your odds of success
Ep 890Why team silos cause failure (and how to fix your work design)
890. Are your teams clashing instead of collaborating? When balls are dropped and fingers are pointed, the problem usually isn’t your people—it’s your work design. If your team is "crushing it" but still missing goals, your productivity is being throttled by a lack of alignment.In this episode, Rachel explains why "cascading" directives without cross-functional alignment creates organizational chaos. Using a real-world biotech case study, she reveals how to move from team silos to a high-performing system where productivity and well-being thrive together.You’ll learn how to:Align leadership layers before deploying goals to prevent conflicting incentives.Shift from "demanding" to "inviting" to unlock hidden cross-team productivity.Turn daily workflows into employee development opportunities without adding more meetings.Stop blaming the people and start looking at the system. Learn how to Work Better By Design to drive sustainable results.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email: [email protected] Discover more from Modern Mentor!FacebookLinkedInNewsletterTranscripts available on your podcast app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 889How to navigate organizational dysfunction (and still make progress)
889. Every organization has dysfunction. And while we should always be working to make things better, we also have to keep moving in the meantime. Rachel shares four practical ways to make real progress, even when the system isn't cooperating.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email: [email protected] Discover more from Modern Mentor!FacebookLinkedInNewsletterTranscripts available on your podcast app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 888Are these antipatterns stopping you from being productive?
888. We think we're being productive. But some of our most intentional habits are quietly costing us. Rachel explores four antipatterns that could be robbing you of your best work. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 887The Creative Pulse: Why humanity is the lynchpin of business, with Andy Pizza
In this episode, Rachel sits down with author and illustrator Andy Pizza to explore why a "creative pulse" is the essential, make-or-break component of any successful career. Andy argues that while business often relies on data and logic, the true differentiator is the ability to show up with a unique, human point of view.The conversation covers: Strategic vs. exploratory creativity: How to use creativity to solve specific business problems by working backward from a goal. The "input diet": Why being mindful of what you consume—from art to fiction—is vital for generating fresh ideas. The heroine’s journey: A collaborative approach to success that prioritizes collective effort over the "solo hero" myth. Writing on stage: A method for testing creative hunches in low-stakes environments to build confidence and skill.Creativity in the age of AI: Why tapping into the "humanity side" remains the most important skill as technology evolves.Andy Pizza's websiteAndy's Creative Pep Talk podcastModern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 886The expertise trap | Why your best people might be blocking innovation
886. Is your team's deep knowledge actually preventing them from seeing the next big breakthrough? In this episode, Rachel explores the "expertise trap"—the moment when having all the answers stops us from seeing new possibilities. She explains why traditional brainstorming often fails and how a "catalog of failures" can cage an expert's thinking.Rachel introduces a practical tool, the Curiosity Hour, designed to flip the script on problem-solving by prioritizing "dumb" questions over expert solutions. Learn how to find the "gardeners" in your organization to challenge the status quo and unlock the fresh thinking your team has been missing.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 885How to stop talking about change and actually start doing it
885. In a world of constant meetings and shifting priorities, why does it feel like we’re repeating the same "to-do" list every six months?This week, Rachel gets into the "bad patterns" that keep teams stuck in a loop of false comfort. We often mistake saying we need to change for actual progress, while our health and productivity suffer the consequences.In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Master strategic prioritization: Why half-assing seventeen goals is costing you more than saying "no" to fourteen. Demystify AI upskilling: How to move past AI paralysis by building "warm-up" experiments for your team. Solve meeting fatigue: Why the answer isn't always fewer meetings, but shifting the lens to high-value dialogue. Build an innovation culture: How to create "safe sandboxes" for experiments that turn potential failure into actionable data.Stop letting the cost of inaction hold your team back. It’s time to move beyond the refrain and start doing the hard things that drive real success.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 884The neuroscience of persuasion: How to engineer unforgettable communication, with Carmine Gallo
884. In this episode, Rachel Cooke and author Carmine Gallo explore the biological reality that the human brain is hardwired to ignore anything it deems "boring". If you want your message to land, you have to work with the brain’s chemistry, not against it.Engineering Memory: Learn how to use "Emotionally Competent Stimuli" (ECS) to act as a mental Post-it note for your audience.The 10% Strategy: Since audiences forget 90% of what they hear, Carmine explains how to strategically engineer the 10% they actually retain.The Brain's Evolution: Why our ancestors' survival depended on storytelling, and why that same wiring dictates modern business success.Get Carmine Gallo's book, VIRAL VOICES.Find Carmine Gallo on social media: https://www.instagram.com/carminegallospeaker/https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminegallo/https://www.tiktok.com/@carminegallospeakerhttp://www.youtube.com/@CarmineGalloTVhttps://x.com/carminegalloModern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 883What actually drives productivity in 2026?
883. Rachel shares how the productivity conversation has evolved - and what actually drives getting things done today.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentorModern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 882Motion versus meaning: Build operating rhythms that work
882. Rachel shares how to design operating rhythms that create space for meaningful work instead of just adding more meetings to your calendar.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 881Why is your team moving fast but staying stuck?
881. We’re all under pressure to move faster, ship earlier, and do more. But as Rachel Cooke explains this week, "speed" often looks a lot more like chaos when the foundation isn't there. If your team is missing deadlines or burning out, the issue probably isn't a lack of effort—it's a lack of the "unsexy" structure that makes agility possible.Rachel looks at how to spot the difference between true agility and "panic with better marketing." She shares how to talk to leaders about conflicting priorities, how to stop casual executive brainstorming from turning into accidental team directives, and why establishing operating rhythms is the only way to kill the constant "fire drill" culture. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 880Leading through uncertainty: Why you need an expedition mindset
880. Rachel shares why workplaces need expedition leadership - navigating uncertainty together - instead of tour-guide leadership that performs certainty when there is none.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 879What Snoop Dogg can teach you about workplace collaboration
879. Rachel shares what the workplace can learn from how celebrities choose collaboration partners - and how to make collaboration work even when it's not your choice. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 878Purpose is a verb: How to practice intentional leadership, with Ira Bedzow
878. We often talk about "finding" our purpose as if it’s a destination on a map. But what if purpose isn’t a noun, but a verb? This week, Rachel talks with Ira Bedzow, Executive Director of the Emory Purpose Project. They discuss why purpose belongs in every industry—from real estate to healthcare—and how leaders can move away from "shoulds" to focus on what they actually want to cultivate. Learn how to build your "reflection muscle" and use the power of listening to create a culture where people truly matter.Learn more about Ira Bedzow and the Emory Purpose Project here. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 724How to be more strategic at work (Reissue)
724. Being strategic at work is about focusing less on quantity—how much you can get done—and leaning instead on doing the right stuff in the wisest and most impactful ways. Here are three strategies to unlock that superpower.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 877Top five work lessons from 2025 to carry into the new year
877. As we close the books on a heavy year, Rachel shares her top five work lessons from 2025 to carry into the new year. She looks at why uncertainty is here to stay, how to make AI amplify your humanity, and why the changing nature of workplace loyalty means you need to protect your own career. Start 2026 with a plan to move from worrying to preparing.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 8765 moves to beat uncertainty and build a better 2026
876. It's been a hard year. As we head into 2026, Rachel shares five practices to help you focus on what you can control and make your work better.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 875The power of watching
875. As we close out the year, Rachel explores why observation - not action - might be the key to unlocking what's already working. Learn how to find your bright spots and carry them into the new year.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 874The 3 fundamental human needs that aren't changing about work, with JP Elliot
874. In a world defined by change, what are the human elements of work that remain constant? We look at this question with JP Elliot, founder of Future of HR Consulting. He identifies the three fundamental needs employees will always demand from their work experience: to get along, get ahead, and find meaning. Learn why anchoring your leadership strategy on these principles is the key to creating an engaged, high-performing team, regardless of technological shifts like AI.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 718It’s time to rethink your “productivity” (Reissue)
718. “Productivity” is the thing we’ve been chasing for years—more, better, faster. But is it really serving us? Or is it time for us to rethink how we measure what the increments of our success?Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 873Why leaders should stop solving and start inviting change
873. Employees are waiting for leaders to fix work. Leaders are drowning trying to fix everything. Rachel explains why both sides are stuck in an outdated model - and how to break free.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 872The 4 ways to rebuild your "second place" for belonging
872. Work used to be a place where connection happened naturally. Now it's not - and the impacts run deeper than we realize. Rachel explores why we've lost the "Second Place" and offers five practical strategies to rebuild belonging and connection at work.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 871How to make hard choices as a leader
871. When there's no clear right answer, how do you move forward? Rachel shares insights from philosopher Ruth Chang and her own experience to help leaders break through analysis paralysis and make hard choices with confidence. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 870Why you need to choose confidence (even when you're afraid), with Juan Bendaña
870. Confidence isn't a character trait you're born with; it's a muscle you develop. In this episode, author and speaker Juan Bendaña shares his personal journey and introduces his Confidence Cycle framework. We look at the three small decisions that help you generate the necessary energy and courage to take action, ultimately building proof of your own competence at work. Learn how to transform self-doubt from a signal to stop into a signal to grow.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at [email protected] Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletterhttps://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentorhttps://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.